Comfort and Joy

Kirk Neely's ode to the redemptive power of Christma harkens back to O. Henry's "The Gift of the Magi." Along the way, he introduces us to Sara Williams, a young woman who carries the family legacy of sweetgrass basket making but whose life has gone off track into drugs and prostitution. In the story "Joe's Tree," we follow a Christmas tree on a miraculous journey from a child's grave to a frat house to a children's shelter. And, together with Mary Alice McCall we learn how slaves once used handmade quilts as a beacon of hope. Against all odds, the transformative power of Christmas works its way into the lives of these characters, bringing meaning, insight, and joy. This collection of holiday stories is a powerful reminder of why we celebrate the season of Christmas.